Wireless pressure setting indicator

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods useful for non-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanical device, such as a sensor or control in an implanted medical device, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough is provided. The flow of fluid through the valve housing can be controlled, for example, by a valve assembly that has a plurality of predetermined pressure settings. A radio frequency tag can be disposed in the valve assembly, and the masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions of the masking element and the radio frequency tag can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate the pressure setting of the valve assembly. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag according to the pressure setting of the valve assembly, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag&#39;s response to the wireless signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/931,041, filed on Oct. 31, 2007 and entitled “Wireless PressureSetting Indicator,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to devices and methods fornon-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanicaldevice, and more particularly for indicating a setting in an implantablemedical device, such as the pressure setting in a wireless shunt.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to non-invasively determine the position orsetting of a mechanical device, such as a switch, valve, pressuresetting mechanism, or other sensor or control, and to be able toindicate the setting to a remote device.

By way of illustration, treatment of hydrocephalus can involve selectinga pressure setting on an implantable valve to control the flow ofcerebrospinal fluid through a hydrocephalus shunt. Hydrocephalus is aneurological condition that is caused by the abnormal accumulation ofcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles, or cavities, of thebrain. CSF is a clear, colorless fluid that is primarily produced by thechoroid plexus and surrounds the brain and spinal cord, aiding in theirprotection. Hydrocephalus can arise when the normal drainage of CSF inthe brain is blocked in some way, which creates an imbalance between theamount of CSF produced by the choroid plexus and the rate at which CSFis absorbed into the bloodstream, thereby increasing pressure on thebrain.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated by surgically implanting a shuntsystem in a patient. The shunt system diverts the flow of CSF from theventricle to another area of the body where the CSF can be absorbed aspart of the circulatory system. Shunt systems come in a variety ofmodels and typically share similar functional components. Thesecomponents include a ventricular catheter, which is introduced through abun hole in the skull and implanted in the patient's ventricle, adrainage catheter that carries the CSF to its ultimate drainage site,and optionally a flow-control mechanism, e.g., shunt valve, thatregulates the one-way flow of CSF from the ventricle to the drainagesite to maintain normal pressure within the ventricles. The shunt valvecan have several settings which determine the pressure at which it willallow CSF to flow the ventricular catheter to the drainage catheter. Itis this pressure setting, which can correspond to the position ofcomponents in the valve, that may need to be determined.

In some cases, determining the pressure setting of a shunt valve can beaccomplished using X-rays, magnetic tools, and/or using acousticfeedback. However, it would be advantageous to provide a pressuresetting indicator that offers more accurate information directly fromthe shunt valve, instantaneously and without the need for radiation orcumbersome instruments. Such considerations can apply to a wide range ofapplications involving settings for implanted or embedded controls,valves, switches, and so on, both in medical devices and elsewhere.

Accordingly, there remains a need for non-invasively indicating theposition or setting of a mechanical device, particularly in implantedmedical devices.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an implantable valve is provided. The implantablevalve can include a valve housing that has a valve inlet and a valveoutlet, and that is adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough. Thevalve housing can have a valve assembly for controlling the rate offluid flowing through the valve housing. The valve assembly can have aplurality of predetermined pressure settings for controlling the fluidflow. The implantable valve can also include a device that interactswith a wireless signal (for example, an electromagnetic wirelessinterrogation signal). For example, the implantable valve can include aradio frequency tag that interacts with a wireless signal emitted by anexternal reader. The radio frequency tag can produce a response to thewireless signal. A masking element can be disposed in the valve housing,and the masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured tomove relative to one another (for example, the masking element can moverelative to the radio frequency tag, or vice versa) to alter theresponse of the radio frequency tag and thereby indicate a pressuresetting of the valve assembly. The masking element, for example, caninclude a conductive member, for example an electrically conductivematerial, that alters the response of the radio frequency tag bycovering at least a portion of it. The conductive member can influenceone or several characteristics of the radio frequency tag. For example,the response of the radio frequency tag can have one or morecharacteristics, such as a resonant frequency, harmonic spectra, decaycharacteristic, and Q factor. One or more of the characteristics canindicate the pressure setting. In some embodiments, a sensor can bedisposed within the valve housing and it can measure the pressure offluid in the valve housing.

The valve assembly can also include an adjustment mechanism that isconfigured to move (for example, it can rotate) to select a pressuresetting. The linear or angular movement can also cause the maskingelement to move, for example, relative to the radio frequency tag. Thevalve assembly can also include a movable adjustment mechanism thatselects a pressure setting in response to a magnetic field created by anexternal control device.

The radio frequency tag can have a variety of configurations. Forexample, the radio frequency tag can include a disk that has anasymmetrical antenna formed on it, and the masking element can beconfigured to at least partially mask the antenna. In some embodiments,the radio frequency tag can include a chip for storing data and anantenna adapted to communicate the stored data to an external readingdevice.

The masking element can also have a variety of configurations. Forexample, the masking element can include a disk formed at least in partof a conductive material and configured to rotate around an axis thereofsuch that the conductive material selectively masks at least part of theradio frequency tag. In some embodiments, the conductive material can bein the form of a spiral or a plurality of discrete conductive sections,each of which can be formed on the disk. In other embodiments, themasking element can be a wedge formed at least in part of a conductivematerial. For example, the valve assembly can have a movable adjustmentmechanism configured to select a pressure setting and to cause themasking element to move, which can result in lateral movement of thewedge.

In another embodiment, an implantable valve is provided which has avalve inlet and a valve outlet that are adapted to receive fluid flowtherethrough, and which also has a valve assembly for controlling therate of fluid flowing through the valve housing. The valve assembly canhave a plurality of predetermined pressure settings for controlling thefluid flow. The implantable valve can also have a conductive memberdisposed within the valve assembly that is configured to selectivelycover at least a portion of a radio frequency tag, for example dependingon the pressure setting, and thereby alter the response of the radiofrequency tag to indicate the selected pressure setting. The responsecan have at least one measurable characteristic, such as resonancefrequency, harmonic spectra, decay characteristic, and Q factor, whichfor example can indicate the selected pressure setting. The radiofrequency tag can produce the response when interrogated by a wirelesssignal emitted from an external reading device. In some embodiments, theradio frequency tag can include a chip for storing data and an antennaadapted to communicate the stored data to such an external readingdevice.

The radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to theconductive member, for example, such that at least a portion of theradio frequency tag is covered by the conductive material. In someembodiments, the radio frequency tag can include a disk having anasymmetrical antenna formed thereon.

The conductive member can also be configured to move relative to theradio frequency tag, for example, such that at least a portion of theradio frequency tag is covered by the conductive member. The conductivemember can form part of a rotatable disk, and/or the conductive membercan be in the form of a layer (on the disk, for example) in the shapeof, for example, a spiral or a plurality of discrete conductivesections.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, an implantable valve can include avalve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between a valveinlet and a valve outlet, and a valve assembly disposed within the valvehousing and having a plurality of selectable positions. The implantablevalve can also include a radio frequency tag disposed in the valvehousing and adapted to interact with a wireless signal to produce aresponse thereto, and can include a masking element disposed in thevalve housing. The masking element and the radio frequency tag can beconfigured to move relative to one another to alter the response of theradio frequency tag and thereby indicate the selected position of thevalve assembly.

In other aspects, methods for indicating the pressure setting of animplanted valve are provided. In one embodiment, an exemplary methodincludes transmitting a wireless signal from a reading device to theradio frequency tag disposed within a valve housing positioned betweenan inlet tube and an outlet tube, and the radio frequency tag can beadapted to indicate a pressure setting of a valve disposed within thevalve housing. In some embodiments, for example, the inlet tube can becoupled to a catheter within a patient's ventricle, and the outlet tubecan be coupled to a drainage catheter for draining the patient'scerebrospinal fluid. The valve housing can also be coupled to a sensorassembly that is adapted to measure a pressure of fluid within the valvehousing. The valve housing can have a radio frequency tag disposedtherein, and the valve housing can be adapted to control a rate of fluidflowing therethrough according to a pressure setting selected from theplurality of pressure settings. The method can further includewirelessly receiving a response to the wireless signal from the radiofrequency tag that indicates the current pressure setting. In someembodiments, the response from the radio frequency tag can communicateinformation previously stored therein.

The method can further include changing the pressure setting of thevalve to a second pressure setting, and wirelessly receiving a secondresponse from the radio frequency tag that indicates the second pressuresetting. The selection of one of the plurality of pressure settings canbe performed, for example, with an external control device adapted toemit a magnetic field. The method can also include analyzing theresponse from the radio frequency tag to detect any of resonantfrequency, harmonic spectra, decay characteristics, and Q factor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein will be more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of animplantable valve;

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the valve shown in FIG. 1 showing aradio frequency tag and a masking element;

FIG. 3 is a top cutaway view of the valve shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a top view of one exemplary embodiment of a radio frequencytag and a masking element;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the masking element and radio frequency tagshown in FIG. 4A having magnetic field elements disposed thereon;

FIG. 4C is a top view the radio frequency tag and masking element ofFIG. 4A following rotation of the masking element;

FIG. 5A is a top view of another embodiment of a radio frequency tag anda masking element;

FIG. 5B is a top view the radio frequency tag and masking element shownin FIG. 5A following rotation of the masking element;

FIG. 5C is a top view the radio frequency tag and masking element shownin FIG. 5A following rotation of the masking element;

FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a radio frequency tag anda masking element;

FIG. 7A is a top view of yet another embodiment of a radio frequency tagand a masking element;

FIG. 7B is a top view the radio frequency tag and masking element shownin FIG. 7A following translation of the masking element and/or radiofrequency tag;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiments of a steppermotor coupled to a masking element that is configured to at leastpartially cover an RF tag;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of one exemplary model of a circuithaving resonance characteristics;

FIG. 9B is a graph of an output voltage signal as a function offrequency for the circuit shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a graph of an output voltage signal as a function offrequency for the circuit shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of one exemplary reading device forreading a pressure setting from a valve having a radio frequency tag andmasking element;

FIG. 10B illustrates the valve of FIG. 1 implanted in a body and beingread by the reading device shown in FIG. 10A; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of an implantable valvesuitable for use in a hydrocephalus shunt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated ordescribed in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combinedwith the features of other embodiments. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the presentapplication.

The present application generally provides methods and devices fornon-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanicaldevice, such as a mechanical control, and for indicating thatinformation to another device, e.g., using telemetry. The methods anddevices are particularly useful in the context of implantable devices,such as hydrocephalus shunts and associated valves. While thedescription herein sometimes refers to hydrocephalus shunts, suchdescription is by way of illustration only. The devices and methodsdescribed herein can be used to indicate the settings and/or positionsof a wide variety of controls, including valves, switches, and so on,both in and out of the context of hydrocephalus shunts. They can also beused to indicate the settings and/or positions of sensors that may adopta particular position in response to a physical or environmentalstimulus. The devices and methods provided herein can be used in a rangeof medical devices and in virtually any medical procedure now or laterin use.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one exemplary embodiment of an implantable valve100 having a housing 102 for receiving fluid flow between a valve inlet104 and an valve outlet 106. The housing 102 can have virtually anyconfiguration, shape, and size. In many embodiments, the size and shapeof the housing 102 can be adapted for implantation in a body, e.g.,subcutaneous implantation. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, thehousing 102 has a substantially linear configuration. In otherembodiments, the housing can include and/or define a reservoir having alarger area than the ports 106, 110, which can be advantageous forchecking the shunt's patency, tapping the CSF, to administer therapy, orto house pressure or flow sensors.

The implantable valve 100 can include a valve assembly 110 forcontrolling the flow of fluid according to one of a plurality ofselectable pressure settings. As shown, the valve assembly 110 includesa ball 112 engaging a valve seat 114, which sits in a valve opening 115in the fluid path between the valve inlet 104 and the valve outlet 106,and which controls fluid flow therethrough. The ball 112 can be underthe force of a spring 118 or other biasing element. The spring 118 canbe in the form of an arm extending from an adjustment mechanism, whichas shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a stepper motor 120, to the upper surfaceof the ball 112 such that it exerts a downward force thereon. Thestepper motor 120 includes a stepped surface, each step representing apressure setting. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-3, the rotational positionof the stepper motor 120 can determine the force of the spring 118 onthe ball 112 and thereby control the pressure at which fluid will flowthrough the valve opening 115. In use, the rotational position of thestepper motor 120 can be controlled by an external programmer, forexample via a changing electromagnetic field applied to magnetic fieldelements disposed about a central axis 122 of the stepper motor 120 torotate the stepper motor in a controlled fashion. The magnetic fieldelements can be magnets shaped and positioned with respect to the axisor rotor of the stepper motor 120. More information on the operation ofstepper motors and such valves can be obtained from U.S. Pat. Nos.5,928,182; 4,772,257; and 4,615,691, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

The implantable valve 100 can also include a radio frequency (RF) tag124 and a masking element 126 coupled to the stepper motor 120. (Forclarity, the masking element 124 and RF tag 126 are represented togetherby an icon in FIG. 2, and embodiments thereof are shown in more detailin FIGS. 4-7.) As will be described in more detail below, the RF tag 124and the masking element 126 can be configured to move relative to oneanother in response to and/or in relation to the rotation of the steppermotor 120 to indicate the current pressure setting of the valve 100 toan external reading device. In some embodiments, the RF tag 124 caninclude a chip capable of storing data, such as identificationinformation (for the valve and/or for the patient) and pressure settinghistory, which can be communicated to the external reading device. TheRF tag 124 and the masking element 126, as well as the valve 100, caninclude a coating 128 for protection from the external environment, CSF,and so on. The valve inlet 104 and valve outlet 106 can each be open andadapted to couple to another medical device, such as a ventricularcatheter, drainage catheter, or other medical device. A person skilledin the art will appreciate that FIGS. 1-3 merely illustrate oneexemplary embodiment of a valve for use with a radio frequency tag andmasking element, and that various valves for controlling fluid flowknown in the art can be used.

The masking element 126 can have a wide variety of configurations and itcan be adapted to interact with the RF tag 124 in a variety of ways. Inone exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the masking element 400 canbe in the form of a disk and can have an electrically conductive portion402 and a non-conductive portion (or differently conductive) portion408. The conductive portion 402 can be a material, such as silver, gold,copper, aluminum, or others known in the art, etc., deposited on thedisk. The use of one or more magnetic portions is also possible. Theconductive portion 402 can also be attached or coupled to the disk, orit can be a non-circular portion that fits together with anon-conductive portion 408 to form the complete disk, and so on. Theconductive portion 402 can have a variety of shapes, but as shown it isspiral or C-shaped such that its width increases between concentricedges. Alternatively, the conductive portion 402 can be in the shape ofa strip of varying width, and it can have virtually any shape that isrotationally asymmetric. As shown in FIG. 4A (and in more detail in FIG.8, described below), the RF tag 404 can be disposed below (in otherembodiments, it can be above) the masking element 400, and particularlybelow the spiral portion formed of conductive material 402. A small gapcan separate the masking element 400 and the RF tag 404. In use, therotational position of the stepper motor 120 can be communicated to themasking element 400 to effect rotation thereof about a central axis 406,while the RF tag 404 can remain fixed (for example, fixed relative tothe valve 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3). Depending on the angular position ofthe masking element 404, the conductive material can cover a differingarea of the RF tag 404. In some embodiments, the masking element 400 caninclude gears or be adapted to receive drive elements from the steppermotor 120 to effect rotation thereof. In other embodiments, the maskingelement 400 can include magnetic field elements, such as the magnets 410shown in FIG. 4B, which are shaped and positioned to respond to achanging magnetic field from a programming device for the stepper motor120, as previously mentioned. The masking element 400 can also bedirectly coupled to the stepper motor 120 such that it rotates with themotor. In other embodiments, in which the valve does not include astepper motor, the masking element can be configured to move incoordination with whatever adjustment mechanism is used to alter thepressure setting of the valve.

FIG. 4C illustrates one possible result of rotation of the maskingelement 400, in which, following rotation of the masking element 400from the position shown in FIG. 4A, a narrow portion of the conductivematerial 402 covers the RF tag 404. Accordingly, the response of the RFtag 404 to an external signal (e.g., from a reading device emitting asignal at one or more radio frequencies) in FIG. 4A can differ from thatof FIG. 4A to indicate such relative position and/or the fact thatmovement has occurred. For example, in some embodiments, acharacteristic of the response of the RF tag 404, such as resonancefrequency, harmonic spectra, or Q factor, can change depending on therelative position or motion of the masking element 400, indicating theposition of the stepper motor and thus the pressure setting of the valve100. In use, the external reading device can emit radio frequencysignals across one or more frequencies and can analyze the responsivesignal from the RF tag 402 for such a characteristic.

The masking element and the RF tag can have a wide variety of otherconfigurations. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates another exemplarymasking element 500 which has a plurality of discrete conductiveportions 504 disposed within a disk 508 of non-conductive material 508.As shown, the conductive portions 504 are rectangular and vary in shapeand size; however the conductive portions 504 can be virtually any sizeand shape and in some embodiments can be identical. Some of theconductive portions 504 can be sized to completely cover the RF tag 502,while other conductive portions 504 can be sized to partially cover theRF tag 502. The masking element 500 can be adapted to rotate around anaxis 506 (for example, via coupling to the stepper motor 120 of FIG. 2,which coupling may include gears or other elements to transfermechanical force). FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate two possible positions ofthe masking element 500 relative to the RF tag 502 following rotation ofthe masking element 500. In FIG. 5B, the RF tag 502 is completelycovered by a portion of conductive material 504. In FIG. 5C, the RF tag502 is partially covered by a differently shaped and sized portion ofconductive material 504. As can be seen from FIGS. 5A-5C, as different,discrete portions of the RF tag 502 are covered by pieces of conductivematerial, the response of the RF tag 502 to an external signal candiffer (for example in resonance frequency, harmonic spectra, decaycharacteristic, or Q factor, as described above) and thereby indicatethe relative discrete rotational position of the masking element 500and/or the RF tag 502, thereby indicating the position of the steppermotor, and thus the pressure setting of the valve. While FIGS. 5A-5Cshow an example of four discrete positions that can be detected, oneskilled in the art will understand that additional masking elements canbe used to detect additional positions.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, a masking element 600 can be inthe form of a rectangle, square, or virtually any other shape, and itcan be associated with an RF tag 602 having an asymmetric shape. Forexample, the RF tag 602 can be in the form of a disk with a rotationallyasymmetric antenna pattern formed thereon. The pattern can include, forexample, antenna lines with varying width, spacing, orientation, and soon. The masking element 600 can be fixed in the valve housing, while theRF tag 602 can be adapted to rotate relative to the valve housing. Forexample, the disk forming the RF tag 602 can be coupled to a control,e.g., in the stepper motor 120 shown in FIG. 2, so as to rotate aroundan axis 604 in relation to a pressure setting, as previously described.In an alternative embodiment, the RF tag 602 can be fixed within thevalve and the masking element 600 can be adapted to rotate around anaxis or otherwise move relative to the RF tag 602. Such rotation cancause a change or variations in the response of the RF tag 602 as theconductive masking element 600 covers different portions of theasymmetric antenna of the RF tag 602. As previously mentioned, theresponse can include characteristics, such as resonance frequency,harmonic spectra, decay characteristic, and/or Q factor, which canchange as a result of such rotation. These characteristics can bedetected in the response of the RF tag 602 to a signal emitted by areading device.

In yet another embodiment, the masking element 126 can be configured totranslate relative to the RF tag 124. For example, FIG. 7A shows amasking element 700 formed of a conductive material in the shape of awedge which can be disposed in the valve housing adjacent to the RF tag702. As the masking element 700 translates relative to the RF tag 702,it covers a different portion of the RF tag 702 (for example as shown inFIG. 7B), creating a detectable difference in the RF tag's response, aspreviously described. Such a configuration can be advantageous where acontrol or sensor operates linearly, such as with a sliding switch tochange the flow rate of the valve. However, the translatable maskingelement 700 also can be coupled to a rotating control or sensor, such asa stepper motor, in a variety of ways. For example, the configurationdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1-3 can be adapted such thatrotation of the stepper motor 120 causes translation of the maskingelement 700, for example via a rack and pinion gearing, pivoting arms,and so on.

The RF tag 124 and the masking element 126 can be coupled to the steppermotor 120 in a variety of ways. For example, the stepper motor 120 canhave a shaft running through its rotational axis, and the maskingelement 126 can be connected to this shaft such that the masking element126 is driven by and rotates with the rotation of the stepper motor 120.Such a configuration can be advantageous for rotationally moving maskingelements, as described above. FIG. 8 illustrates such a configurationand shows an exemplary embodiment of a stepper motor 820 having a shaft822 extending therethrough and connected to a masking element 826. Asshown, an RF tag 824 is attached to a surface 828, which represents thehousing or other surface of an implantable valve. In other embodiments,the shaft can be attached to a gear which can drive a gear assembly thatis connected to the masking element 126. In some embodiments, the gearassembly can include a rack and pinion gearing in order to drive amasking element that translates, as previously described.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the masking element and theRF tag can have a wide variety of other configurations, includingvirtually any configuration in which a masking element and an RF tagmove relative to one another to indicate a setting or the position of acontrol. For example, in some embodiments a variety of masking elementshapes can be provided, in some embodiments only one or both of themasking element and the RF tag can be configured to move relative to theother, and so on. In other embodiments, the masking element covers or isdisposed in between the reading device and the RF tag. A wide variety ofsettings, including rotationally-determined and/or linearly determinedsettings, can be indicated and are not limited to stepper motors orpressure settings. The embodiments described are not meant to be limitedto a particular type or category. For example, the configurations ofFIGS. 4-6 can be coupled to a linearly-determined setting or control,for example via a range of known mechanical devices for transforminglinear movement to rotational movement such as rack and pinion gearing,pivot arms, and so on. Also, the translatable configuration of FIGS.7A-7B can be coupled to a rotationally-determined setting or control.Moreover, the location of the masking element and RF tag are not limitedto those shown in the illustrated embodiments. The setting of thestepper motor 120, for example, can be transmitted to a location whichmay be particularly adapted to receive the masking element/RF tag,and/or to provide for advantageous communication properties.

Returning to FIGS. 1-3, the shape, technical specifications, and size ofthe RF tag 124 can vary widely. In many embodiments, a relatively smallRF tag can be used so as to minimize the footprint of the tag in thedevice, for example with dimensions in a range of about 5 mm to 10 mm,but in other embodiments, tags with dimensions of about 3 mm to 50 mmcan be used and any size is possible.

It should be understood that in many embodiments, the RF tag 124 can bechipless, and its physical/electromagnetic parameters can be used todetermine position. The RF tag 124 need not have the capability to storedata or to communicate according to a protocol, and need not haveprocessing circuitry or digital logic. A chipless RF tag can provide acircuit (for example, having measurable characteristics, such as a tankcircuit) and can be powered from the reading device signal. Such an RFtag can be advantageous due to its relatively low power requirements,and need not have the ability to communicate stored data or “identify”itself. However, in other embodiments the RF tag 124 can be chip-based,and can provide data storage for storing additional information relatedto the application. An example of chip-based tags are the commonly usedRF identification tags. Some of these RF identification tags provideminimal information (such as a TRUE or FALSE value), while others canstore several bytes of data. A chip-based RF tag can include processingcircuitry, digital logic, a separate antenna, and/or a battery. Forexample, the RF tag 124 can include a memory for storing data related tothe patient and/or sensor. By way of non-limiting example, the RF tag124 can store sensed pressure data, sensor identification information(e.g., implantation date, sensor type, and sensor identifier code),sensor calibration data, historical data stored from the sensor, tagidentification information (e.g., implantation date, tag type, and tagidentifier code), and/or patient data (e.g., desired CSF flow rate,previous sensor measurements, and patient medical history). An externalreading device, described further below, can read and/or store data insuch an RF tag 124.

The RF tag 124 can have any shape, such as elliptical (includingcircular) or rectangular (including square), and can have virtually anysize. The following table lists, by way of example only, available RFtags suitable for use with the devices and methods described herein.Passive as well as semi-passive and active tags can be used, althoughsemi-passive and active tags sometimes are larger than passive tagsbecause they can incorporate an internal battery, e.g., for powerpurposes.

Tag Frequency Type 125 KHz 5-7 MHz 13.56 MHz 303/433 MHz 860-960 MHz2.45 GHz Passive ISO11784/5, ISO10536 (ISO15693) — ISO18000-6 ISO18000-414223 iPico (ISO15693) Electronic Product Intellitag ISO18000-2 DF/iPXMIFARE Code (“EPC”) μ-chip (ISO14443) Class 0 Tag-IT EPC Class 1(ISO15693) EPC GEN II ISO18000-3 Intellitag tolls (Title 21) rail(Association of American Railroads (“AAR”) S918) Semi- — — — — rail (AARS918) ISO18000-4 Passive Title 21 Alien BAP Active — — — Savi (American— ISO18000-4 National Standards WhereNet Institute (“ANSI”) (ANSI 371.1)371.2) ISO18000-7 RFCode

By way of further explanation, one exemplary circuit for modeling an RFtag can be generally represented by a resonator circuit 900 as shown inFIG. 9A. The circuit 900 includes a capacitor 902, an inductor 904, andan intrinsic resistance 906. When the RF tag is embedded in the valveand associated with a masking element, as described above, shifts in theresonant frequency of the circuit 900 can be monitored on a continuousor intermittent basis to monitor the pressure setting through thehousing 102. The resonant frequency of the circuit 900 can be detectedin a variety of ways, such as by measuring power reflected from thecircuit 900 or measuring decaying circulating power of the circuit 900following a outside signal (e.g., from a reading device). FIG. 9Billustrates an example of a graph showing an output signal of thecircuit 900 when introduced to an outside signal. The reflected power ofthe circuit 900 is at a minimum at the resonant frequency, where ω canbe expressed as:

$\omega = {{2\pi\; f} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}}$with f representing the resonant frequency, L representing inductance ofthe inductor 904, and C representing capacitance of the capacitor 902.FIG. 9C illustrates another example of a graph showing an output signalof the circuit 900 when introduced to an outside signal. The reflectedpower of the circuit 900 in this example is at a maximum at the resonantfrequency. Further examples of such RF tags and information on the useof them, including techniques for interrogating them, can be obtainedfrom U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,025,725, and 6,278,379, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2004/0134991, all of which are hereby byincorporated by reference in their entireties.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the housing 102 can be formed from avariety of materials. In one exemplary embodiment, however, the housing102 is formed from a flexible, biocompatible material. Suitablematerials include, for example, polymers such as silicones,polyethylene, and polyurethanes, all of which are known in the art. Thehousing 102 can also optionally be formed from a radio-opaque material.A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the materials are notlimited to those listed herein and that a variety of other biocompatiblematerials having the appropriate physical properties to enable thedesired performance characteristics can be used.

As previously mentioned, the implantable valve 100 and/or the RF tag 124and masking element 126 can also optionally include a coating 128 thatis adapted to hermetically seal all or at least a portion of the RF tag114 and/or masking element 126. The coating 128 can be applied to only aportion of the RF tag 124 and/or masking element 126 that could beexposed to fluid. The RF tag 124 and the valve 100 can be coatedseparately, with different coatings, or together in a single coating. Anadhesive or other mating technique can optionally be used to affix theRF tag 124 and/or masking element 126 within the housing 102, however,in some embodiments it can be useful to allow the RF tag 124 and/ormasking element 126 to be removed from the valve 100 if necessary.Alternatively, the valve 100 can be coated after the RF tag 124 and/ormasking element 126 are disposed in the valve 100 to form a protectivesheath. The valve inlet 104 and valve outlet 106 can be protected fromany coating applied thereto, formed after the coating is applied, or becleared of any coating applied thereto to allow fluid to flowtherethrough. In other embodiments, only certain components of the valve100 can be coated. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that avariety of other techniques can be used to seal the components of thevalve 100.

The material used to form the coating 128 can vary, and a variety oftechniques can be used to apply the coating. By way of non-limitingexample, suitable materials include polyurethane, silicone,solvent-based polymer solutions, and any other polymer that will adhereto the components to which it is applied to, and suitable techniques forapplying the coating include spray-coating or dip-coating.

FIG. 10A shows one exemplary embodiment of a reading device 1000, suchas an RF telemetry device, for use in obtaining information from the RFtag 124. The reading device 1000 can emit a signal at one frequency orover a range of frequencies, and can listen for the response thereto,e.g., from the RF tag 124. In the case of a chipless RF tag, acharacteristic of the response from the tag can indicate a measured flowrate, as explained previously. In the case of a chip-based RF tag havingmemory associated therewith, the response of the tag can indicate thepressure setting in the same way as previously described for a chiplesstag, and it can also communicate (e.g., according to a communicationprotocol) additional information stored in its memory for the readingdevice. Any type of external reading device can be used. In oneexemplary embodiment, the reading device 1000 can include an RF module(e.g., transmitter and receiver), a control unit (e.g.,microcontroller), a coupling element to the transponder (e.g., antenna),and an interface (e.g., Recommended Standard (RS) 232, RS-485, Firewire,Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.) to enablecommunication with another device (e.g., a personal computer). Thereading device 1000 can provide the power required by the RF tag 124 tooperate, e.g., via inductive coupling. As shown in FIG. 10B, the readingdevice 1000 can be positioned in proximity to an implanted valve 100 totelemetrically communicate with the RF tag 124, and thereby obtain areading indicative of a pressure setting.

FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an implantable valvefor a hydrocephalus shunt which can have a pressure setting indicator.As shown, the implantable valve 1100 can include a valve housing 1106for receiving fluid flow (such as CSF) therethrough between an inletport 1108 and an outlet port 1104. A reservoir 1110 can be provided forhousing a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, or other sensors and/orcontrols. For example, suitable pressure sensors are described inco-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/907,665, entitled “Pressure Sensing Valve” by Mauge et al., filedApr. 11, 2005 and now published as U.S. Publication No. 2006-0211946 A1,and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,989, U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,057, and EP PatentNo. 1 312 302, the teachings of all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties. Suitable flow sensors are described inco-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application entitled “WirelessFlow Sensor” by Salim Kassem and Aaron Gilletti and filed herewith. Theimplantable valve 1100 can also include a valve assembly 1102 forcontrolling the flow of fluid through the valve 1100 according toremotely or telemetrically selectable settings. For example, the valveassembly can include a stepper motor, such as was described inconnection with FIG. 1. A coating can be disposed over the valve 1100.Further information on implantable valves can be obtained from U.S.Publication No. 2006-0211946 A1, referenced above. Implantable valve1100 can include a masking element and/or RF tag to indicate thepressure setting of valve assembly 1102 according to any of thepreviously-described embodiments.

In another aspect, a method is provided for non-invasively determiningthe position or setting of a mechanical device, such as a control orsensor in an implanted medical device, and for indicating thatinformation to another device. In one embodiment, an exemplary methodcan include implanting a valve, such as the valve 100 described above inconnection with FIGS. 1-3, in a body. In the case of a hydrocephalusshunt, a hydrocephalus valve can be subcutaneously implanted in apatient, as shown in FIG. 10B. It should be understood that while FIG.10B shows the implantation of a valve in a shoulder region, the devicecan be implanted virtually anywhere, for example subcutaneously behindthe ear, or on the head, torso, etc. The method can also includecoupling a proximal end of a catheter, such as a ventricular catheter,to an inlet port of the flow sensor. Another catheter, such as adrainage catheter, can be coupled to an outlet port of the flow sensor.The drainage catheter can extend through the patient to an area whereexcess fluid, e.g., CSF, can drain safely.

The method can further include wirelessly transmitting a wireless signalto an RF tag embedded in the valve, for example using a reading devicesuch as reading device 1000 described above in connection with FIG. 10A.The transmitted signal can include one or more frequencies, for exampleradio frequencies. In some embodiments, the wireless signal can betransmitted according to a protocol to communicate with an RF tag havinga chip therein. The method can also include receiving a response fromthe RF tag that indicates a pressure setting of the valve. The responsecan be a radio frequency response and can have one or morecharacteristics, such as resonance frequency, harmonic spectra, decaycharacteristics, and Q factor, that can be detected and analyzed inorder to determine the current pressure setting of the valve. Thedetermination of the pressure setting can be performed using calibrationdata for a particular pressure sensor and/or valve. In some embodiments,the calibration data, as well as other data such as historical data, canbe transmitted from an RF tag having a memory to the reading device. Themethod can further include changing the pressure setting of the valve.In some embodiments, this can be performed using a programming devicethat produces and directs a changing electromagnetic field to a steppermotor. Another signal can be wirelessly transmitted to the RF tag usinga reading device, and the response to the signal can be analyzed toindicate the changed pressure setting.

Further information on wireless shunts can be obtained from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/931,127, entitled “Wireless Flow Sensor” andpublished as U.S. Publication No. 2009/0107233, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/931,151, entitled “Wireless Pressure Sensing Shunts” andpublished as U.S. Publication No. 2009/0112103, and U.S. patent Ser. No.11/931,187, entitled “Wireless Shunts With Storage” and published asU.S. Publication No. 2009/0112308, all of which were filed on Oct. 31,2007 and which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.Also incorporated by reference in its entirety is co-pending, commonlyassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/907,665, entitled “PressureSensing Valve” and published as U.S. Publication No. 2006/0211946 A1.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the various methods anddevices disclosed herein can be formed from a variety of materials.Moreover, particular components can be implantable and in suchembodiments the components can be formed from various biocompatiblematerials known in the art. Exemplary biocompatible materials include,by way of non-limiting example, composite plastic materials,biocompatible metals and alloys such as stainless steel, titanium,titanium alloys and cobalt-chromium alloys, glass, and any othermaterial that is biologically compatible and non-toxic to the humanbody.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesbased on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure isnot to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described,except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications andreferences cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for indicating a pressure setting of animplantable valve, comprising: transmitting a wireless signal from areading device to a radio frequency tag disposed within a valve housingpositioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the radio frequencytag adapted to indicate a pressure setting of a valve disposed withinthe valve housing, the pressure setting being one of a plurality ofselectable pressure settings, each of the plurality of pressure settingscorresponding to a pressure at which a fluid will flow through the valvebetween the inlet tube and the outlet tube; wirelessly receiving aresponse to the wireless signal from the radio frequency tag thatindicates the pressure setting; wherein a masking element is disposed inthe valve housing; at least one of the masking element and the radiofrequency tag is configured to move relative to the other one of themasking element and the radio frequency tag such that the maskingelement masks different portions of the radio frequency tag, therebyaltering the response of the radio frequency tag; and each of thepressure settings corresponds a different position of the maskingelement and the radio frequency tag relative to one another.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: changing the pressure setting toa second one of the plurality of pressure settings, wirelessly receivinga second response from the radio frequency tag that indicates the secondone of the plurality of pressure setting.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising analyzing the response from the radio frequency tagto detect any of resonant frequency, harmonic spectra, decaycharacteristic, and Q factor.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theresponse from the radio frequency tag communicates informationpreviously stored therein.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingselecting one of the plurality of pressure settings with an externalcontrol device adapted to emit a magnetic field.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising coupling the inlet tube to a catheter within apatient's ventricle, and coupling the outlet tube to a drainage catheterfor draining the patient's cerebrospinal fluid.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising sensing the pressure of the fluid flowing throughthe valve at the pressure setting, the response to the wireless signalindicating the sensed pressure.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein eachof the pressure settings corresponds to a different size of a valveopening through which fluid will flow between the inlet tube and theoutlet tube.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tagis configured to move within the valve housing relative to the valvehousing.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the masking element isconfigured to move within the valve housing to mask different portionsof the radio frequency tag.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising selecting one of the pressure settings by applying a magneticfield to a magnetic field element disposed within the valve housing. 12.The method of claim 1, further comprising causing a motor disposedwithin the valve housing to move to a different position within thevalve housing, thereby changing the pressure setting to a different oneof the pressure settings.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein causingthe motor to move to the different position comprises transmitting awireless signal to the motor.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein each ofthe pressure settings is a predetermined pressure setting.